Sachin Tendulkar raised Rs 15 lakhs during the Delhi Marathon on Sunday and the amount will go to the families of Pulwama martyrs. Sachin Tendulkar performed 10 pushups each before the start of each of the four races as part of #KeepMoving Push-up Challenge and urged the runners to join him in the exercise.

“Whatever will be the fund that we receive from here, it will all be donated for a good cause, a bigger cause. It will be donated to the families of the martyrs. I am sure you understand the feelings and hope everyone joins us in this movement,” Tendulkar said.

More than 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14, the deadliest in three decades.

Thousands of runners took part in the four races -- 42.195km long full marathon (2000), 21.095km half marathon (6000), timed 10km (5500) run and 5km Swachch Bharat Run (4500).

Seeing the big turnout, Tendulkar said, “I am especially delighted to see so many children participating. It is a very big step in life to participate in a marathon and not to be intimidated by seeing so many adults around. You are the next generation who will take over the reins of our nation.”

“The whole dream is to transform India from a sports-loving nation into sports playing nation for a healthy active lifestyle. And if children are starting from here, things are going to be better and better,” he added.

“So well done Delhi, keep up your energy to run in the marathon. It is fantastic that you all are here with so much enthusiasm and energy.” Tendulkar said.

(PTI inputs)